Quick Bites for your Dental Office

https://bonddentalbilling.com/online-courses/

These laws are called “Non-Covered Services”. (NCS) bills. They protect dentists' regular fees for services that the dental plan does not cover. Read more:

https://www.nadp.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/ncs_consumer_v1.pdf?sfvrsn=0

Remote Dental Billing Help: https://bonddentalbilling.com

If you would like my claim attachment cheat sheet, email me at [email protected]

Remote Dental Billing: https://bonddentalbilling.com

If you would like my claim attachment cheat sheet, email me at [email protected]

Remote Dental Billing: https://bonddentalbilling.com

https://bonddentalbilling.com

Schedule your complimentary practice analysis: https://www.bonddentalconsulting.com/meet

Email me today: [email protected]

Collecting Payment at Time of Service

• Make sure to collect family balance including previous balances and balances from other family members. Don’t just collect today’s portion due.

• Make sure to $0-out estimated insurance payment on any procedures not covered by insurance before batching claim to collect that $ at time of service. (I.E. Vel., laser, adult FL, D4910, guards, etc)

• When reviewing treatment plans, let patients know that their estimated portion is due at the time of service, so there won’t be any surprises. Even better- collect when you schedule that appointment (before they come in) Options: offer 3%/5% pre-pay discount (depending on credit card or cash/check). Not only does this help KEEP their appointment, it also helps us from chasing down payment. 

• You can collect for treatment BEFORE the patient goes back into the treatment room. “[Patient Name], before you go back to see [Dr Name], I’ll take care of your estimated portion due today. (If they ask why-) I know you’ll be numb when you leave, so this is our standard protocol to make it easier on our patients.” (Present it as a courtesy to THEM) 

• Make sure every team member is on the same page and follows the same protocols for collections.

Schedule Your Complimentary Practice Analysis: 
https://bonddentalbilling.com/contact/

Collections Challenge: 

1. Run numbers for July to see your baseline. Collections/Net production= collections % -we are shooting for at least 98% collection. If we don’t collect it, we don’t produce it
2. Insurance breakdowns
   1. Resource bundle
   2. Collect upfront velscope fees, laser fees, adult FL, D4910 third or fourth, max met, fee schedule vs UCR, etc
3. Collecting co-pay at time of service
   1. Resource bundle and script
4. August 1: 
   1. 1 person in charge of accurate breakdowns for each patient- review at morning huddle that everyone is checked
   2. 1 person in charge of tracking daily collections- who did not pay at time of service and why? -report morning huddle
   3. Check-out script: Use magical three sentences

If you want me to take a look at your practice numbers and see what I fell would best help your office, reach out to me today. With our remote billing, we are unique in that we also offer consulting for offices. We aren’t just cleaning up your A/R, but we are helping create systems for longterm practice growth.

Contact me directly: https://bonddentalbilling.com/contact
Email me: [email protected]

Att: Dentrix users!!! DO YOU SPLIT YOUR CLAIMS?? Don’t lose money for your practice! See what I’m taking about in today's podcast. Need help locating this feature? Reach out to me today at [email protected]

Ready to outsource your insurnace headaches? Contact us today!
https://bonddentalbilling.com

Resources from today's episode:
Front Office Coaching: http://www.firstimpressiondentalcoaching.com
Smile Advantage-Dental Care Plan: https://mysmileadvantage.com
Going out of network letter/scripts:  email me [email protected]

How to tell patients you are going out of network?

First, be very up front with your patients. I recommend sending a letter before the move because chances are the insurance company WILL send them notification prompting them to leave your practice. Get in front of it by sending them a letter discussing that they CAN stay and a lot of times the difference between in and out of network rates are small. Be willing to do a breakdown of benefits for each patient before they come in and try to give them the best estimate you can. You can really prompt your in house membership plan which may save the patient money and keep them committed to your practice. Especially patients who do not have a lot of treatment, this could be a perfect solution. It's super easy now to implement an in house membership plan. I recommend a company called Smile Advantage. Instead of charging your office for each patient's visit, they help your office set up a DIY membership plan. They help with the tracking and marketing for a low monthly fee.

It should be a methodical dropping. Not a quick thing. 

1. Get in contact with and invest in training for your staff- front office coaching - Kortney LeDuc with first impression dental coaching
   1. Answer questions like why are you going out of network?
   2. How will it change my costs?
   3. Increase Customer Service 
   4. What to say when new patient call
      1. I have some scripts and a letter for your team- send me an email at [email protected] and I would be happy to share them with you
2. Get in contact with a company to help you with your in-house membership plan like Smile Advantage or start one yourself. Create that option for patients
3. Call the insurance company and ask the steps to go from in network to out of network
4. Send a letter to your patients BEFORE you submit the paperwork needed by the insurance company. I have a free example; just email me.
5. Submit the necessary paperwork to go out of network- this can take months to process
6. Have a team members designated to make sure the transition with the insurance company stays on track- they will attempt to delay it

https://bonddentalbilling.com

Out of network practice:

Cons: it is harder to get a patient an accurate estimate. While it is still 100% possible to get accurate estimates- it takes a little more skill, knowledge and digging on the office’s part. Listen to episode on 16 on difference between fee schedule/table of allowance and UCR- important to know as a fee for service practice

Pros: Freedom to pick your own fees for your services. Insurance does not dictate what you do. Nor should it ever, but insurance can dictate what you get paid for if you are in network. If a procedure is not paid due to the plan’s limits you don’t have to eat the cost. Example: build ups

Typically more money goes to the practice. You can see less patients for the same $ amount since your fees are not dictated. Better quality of life.

Going out of network: 

What you will need: well trained staff, great verbal skills, and spectacular customer service.